VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds hockey team suffered a 5-0 loss to the No. 9 Saskatchewan Huskies at Father Bauer Arena thanks to a shutout from Huskies goalie Ryan Holfeld, and a pair of opportunistic short-handed goals by Saskatchewan penalty killers.
BOXSCORE
Holfeld made 32 saves to earn the shutout and the victory for the Huskies. Kyle Ross had his second straight two-point night against the T-Birds, including a goal on the first shot of the game just 13 seconds into regulation to set the tone for the night. Ross got behind the UBC defense and drove to the net to score.
Chris Durand hit the score sheet next, thanks to a two-on-one short-handed chance that Durand converted going backhand to beat
Kraymer Barnstable between the legs.
Derek Hulak continued the scoring in the second period, shooting through a screen to send the puck top shelf.
Less than two minutes later Travis Brisebois ripped a shot off the rush from inside the left faceoff circle, beating Barnstable high blocker side to chase the UBC netminder from the game in favour of
Jordan White between the UBC pipes.
But even the personnel change couldn't stop the bleeding as the 'Birds gave up their second short-handed goal later in the period. Craig McCallum raced in on a breakaway and put the puck blocker side for the game's final goal.
For the T-Birds, bright spots were few. The team was unable to dig out of an early hole, and Holfeld was solid in the Saskatchewan net. White made some beautiful saves of his own down the stretch, but it was too little too late for a UBC squad that couldn't muster any offense.
It was a disappointment after the Thunderbirds outplayed the Huskies for the majority of the previous night's game. Unlike that night, there was no turning it around for UBC on Saturday.
“13 seconds in we get beaten and they score a nice goal. Before you know it we're down 2-0. We didn't give ourselves a chance to turn it around,” said UBC head coach Milan Dragicevic.
Although UBC struggled in many aspects of their final home game of the season, the most glaring difficulty was on the power play.
“We didn't execute. We gave up two short-handed goals and four breakaways on the power play,” said Dragicevic. “I think that says it all.”
The evening marked the final game on home ice for several seniors on the Thunderbird roster.
Matt Pepe,
Ryan Kakoske,
Jordan Inglis,
Marc Desloges,
Adam Maglio, and
Carson Loveday were all honoured in a pre-game ceremony. Dragicevic took a moment to acknowledge their contribution to the team and the men's hockey program at UBC.
“All these guys are leaving a legacy behind at UBC and that's very important,” said Dragicevic. “
Ryan Kakoske has been the ultimate defensive defenseman. He's an academic All-Canadian. He plays 30 minutes a night for us and he's going to have a great future in the business world.”
“
Matt Pepe plays against the opposition's top lines. He battles and competes and plays with his heart,” continued Dragicevic. “We need more guys to follow like that.”
“
Jordan Inglis is having an outstanding year for us,” said Dragicevic. “He's been one of our best players in the second half of the season. He's getting rewarded with a lot of ice time and power play time. He wants to be a doctor and get into med school, and he's another academic All-Canadian.”
“
Marc Desloges is one of the most skilled players in our league, and he's the oldest guy on the team,” continued Dragicevic. “He's very mature and he knows exactly what he wants from school, and he's going to move on to become a chef down the road. His speed, his tenacity, and his driving to the net are definitely going to be missed.”
“
Adam Maglio and
Carson Loveday will be missed because they bring enthusiasm, passion, and energy to our hockey program,” concluded Dragicevic.
With the loss, UBC's hopes of hosting a home playoff game this season officially disappear. The team heads to Winnipeg to face the first place Manitoba Bisons next weekend and gear up for the Canada West playoffs, which for the Thunderbirds, will begin in Calgary..
The Huskies, meanwhile, conclude their season on the road against the Regina Cougars. A pair of wins could land Saskatchewan in one of the top two playoff spots, giving them a bye to the semi-finals of the Canada West playoffs.
-30-
